How to fundraise on Zoom

Zoom’s new donations button is good news for charities. With face-to-face fundraising events cancelled for the past 18 months, many not-for-profits have turned to digital fundraising.

The donations button, which is integrated into the video calling software through an app called Donations by Pledge, allows charities to turn Zoom meetings into virtual fundraisers.

The benefits to charities

The app is free for all charities to use and doesn’t take a percentage of the donations. This means you can use all the money raised to deliver your charitable activities. The Pledge website says the only fees are standard credit card fees (2.9%+.30) and a $5 (£3.58) a month disbursement fee.

Zoom has become a popular way to keep in touch during the pandemic, so people will be confident using the video calling tool to join virtual fundraisers. The new app gives supporters a quick and easy way to donate online.

How to set up the donations button

Before getting started, you need to download the latest version of Zoom. The Pledge website guides charities on how to install the app.

1. Click Zoom Apps in your settings
2. Add the ‘Donations by Pledge’ app to Zoom
3. Open the app and click on the ‘Create a Fundraiser’ button
4. Add in your description, donation goal, and select a virtual background from the different options, or upload your own
5. Share the link to your fundraiser with your supporters

On the Pledge website, there is a step-by-step guide to help you download the app and set up a virtual fundraiser. You can also schedule a one-to-one demonstration with a staff member at Pledge or access support pages on the Pledge website.

When up and running, donors have a live feed in front of them, showing all the donation activity and the total raised in real-time.

The app accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit cards. It also offers a text-to-donate option for anyone who needs to join the call on their mobile phone.

Other donation buttons for Zoom

There are other buttons you can integrate with Zoom to help you fundraise for your charity. You can download the PayPal and Stripe donations buttons. The payment buttons easily integrate with Zoom and automatically appear in your Zoom meetings.

Ideas for virtual fundraising events on Zoom

There are lots of different options for fundraising events, from online auctions to quizzes. Pledge gives some ideas for virtual fundraisers including charity galas.

Mental health charity Mind suggests virtual murder mysteries, dance parties and music festivals.

How to promote your Zoom virtual fundraiser to your supporters

Before your event, send out an email to your supporters to let them now how they can get involved. Make sure you give clear instructions for joining Zoom.

You can also promote your event beyond your existing supporters by sharing it on social media and encouraging people to invite their family and friends. Or you may prefer to organise a small gathering of high net-worth donors.

This will give them the chance to hear from people connected with the charity, such as staff and volunteers delivering services.

Send out a reminder email just before your event goes live to remind people to join. With so many Zoom meetings these days, it can be easy to forget what you have in your diary.

During the event it’s important to continue to remind people to donate. If anyone donates before the event, ask them to say this in the chat or verbally and explain why.

After your event let supporters know how much you’ve raised and what you’ll be able to achieve with the funds.

Tips for hosting your virtual fundraiser on Zoom

Get supporters to participate. If you want supporters to get involved with your event, set up breakout sessions on Zoom. This will encourage group conversations between supporters.

Test your equipment. Before your meeting goes live, test your video and audio. That way you won’t experience any glitches during the event.

Get your positioning right. Spend time setting up your camera and computer screen before the fundraiser. You should have your head and shoulders in the centre of the screen, and make sure you have some space above you.

Don’t just focus on your organisation. Share stories of the people you have supported and volunteers who have delivered your services. Let people share their own experiences if they’re happy to do this. Having people tell their own story resonates with potential donors.

Record your fundraiser. It’s worth recording your event for those who missed it as it may encourage supporters to donate after the event.